S2 C1-C2 NOW I KNOW HOW JOAN OF ARC FELT

to exploit one’s legacy

to use somebody's reputation for personal gain

to reference something

to allude to something

martyr

somebody who dies or suffers greatly for their beliefs or a cause

sheer dress

a dress made of thin, see-through fabric

crucifix necklace

a necklace with a cross that includes the figure of Jesus Christ, symbolizing his crucifixion

clad in armour

dressed in armor

patron saint

a saint who is seen as a protector or guide for a particular group or cause

recurring figure

somebody or something that appears repeatedly

metallic gown

a dress made of or resembling shiny metal

to reignite public fascination with something

to spark renewed interest in something

to take a vow of chastity

to promise to remain celibate or pure

to be burned at the stake

to be killed by burning

to adopt male attire

to wear men’s clothing

defiance of gender norms

resistance to expectations about gender

to deify somebody

to treat somebody like a god or goddess

to step away from an assigned role

to reject a role given to you by society

revered as a feminist heroine

deeply respected as a symbol of female strength and independence

to co-opt somebody’s image

to use somebody’s image for your own purposes

to suit somebody’s agenda

to fit or serve somebody's plans or goals

secular

not religious or spiritual

to invoke Joan of Arc

to reference the story of Joan of Arc

pious

deeply religious or devoted to faith

proto-feminist

somebody who supported women's rights before the feminist movement

chainmail

protective clothing made of small metal rings linked together

exasperated with something

extremely frustrated or annoyed by something

to resurrect something

to revive something

apocryphal

of doubtful authenticity, often referring to stories

a political milieu of escalating conflicts

a political environment with increasing tensions

distaste for scientific modernity

dislike for a science-driven society

in turmoil

in a state of chaos, confusion, or disorder

to subscribe to the capitalist logic

to accept the principles of capitalism

stalwart

a strong, loyal supporter

cursory glance

a quick, superficial look

key tenets of castlecore

the main ideas of the medieval aesthetic

the dearth of spirituality

the lack or absence of spiritual beliefs

to raise somebody to the stature of celebrity

to elevate to the status of a famous person

to articulate forms of womanhood

to express different ideas about being a woman

conduit of divine contact

intermediary for communication with God

instant gratification

immediate satisfaction or reward

instantaneous

happening immediately, without delay

to burst into unquenchable tears

to suddenly start crying uncontrollably

redemptive love

love that saves or redeems somebody, often from suffering

this all comes with the obvious caveat

this is all true, but with an important warning or limitation

sporadic trends

irregular or unpredictable trends

sublime

extremely good, beautiful, or enjoyable

ubiquitous

present and visible everywhere at all times

to adorn something

to enhance the beauty of something with decorations

to chastise something

to scold or criticize something harshly

carnal passion

intense physical desire or lustful feelings

to lionize somebody

to treat somebody as a hero or idol

to have agency

to possess the ability to act independently

offspring

a person’s children

stoic

showing great self-control and endurance in difficult situations

uninhibited by the social mores

free from societal norms or restrictions

lapsed morals

declining or abandoned ethical standards

paragons of feminist virtue

ideal examples of strong, independent women

damsel in distress

woman portrayed as helpless and needing rescue

sorceress

a woman skilled in magic or sorcery

to recast a notion of beauty

to redefine what is considered beautiful

to hone the Pre-Raphaelite look

to refine or perfect the aesthetic style of the Pre-Raphaelites

the consequences of passion run amok

the negative outcomes of uncontrolled desires

meek

quiet, humble, and submissive in character

on the cusp of womanhood

at the transition point between girlhood and womanhood

to have dire consequences

to result in something serious, harmful, or severe

sun-dappled field

a field with patches of sunlight shining through foliage

overbearingly mainstream

too common, often losing uniqueness

to bridge the past to the present

to connect the past and present

potent escapism

a powerful way to escape reality

self-referential styles

styles that reference themselves

derivative aesthetic

a style that lacks originality and copies something else

to span over a thousand years

to cover a period of 1000 years

to draw/pull/cull from

to take inspiration or elements from a source

fallible

capable of making mistakes or being wrong

poignant

evoking strong emotions, often sadness or nostalgia

to grapple with something

to struggle or wrestle with a problem or issue

to feel animosity toward something

to have strong dislike toward something

jarring

different or unexpected that it has a strong and unpleasant effect

to cement an idea

to firmly establish or solidify a concept

pageantry

impressive and colourful ceremonies

to scoff at something

to mock or show contempt for something

chivalric knight

a knight embodying ideals of honor and bravery

to harken back to medieval styles

to return to medieval designs

sequestered to the world of art

confined to the realm of art

to incorporate Arthurian themes

to include elements related to King Arthur or his legends

mystical leanings

interest in spirituality

pseudo-medieval

faux-medieval

medieval-adjacent

related to the medieval aesthetic

disillusionment with something

disappointment with something

to connect with our predecessors

to establish a link with those who came before us